When you’re in the market for a used truck, choosing the right vehicle to fit both your needs and your budget can be a struggle. But knowing where to get started and what questions to ask beforehand can save you from buying a lemon and help you find the pre-owned truck that’s just right for you.

Deciding What You Need

Before you can begin your search, it’s important to consider exactly what you are looking for in a used truck. What is the terrain like where it will be driven most, will it have rough or slippery terrain requiring 4WD or AWD or just city driving where FWD will be sufficient? Will it be a commercial vehicle or work truck? Are there options that are non-negotiable if it is going to be used for work or are you looking for it to have more high-end options that give it a more luxurious feeling? Will it primarily be a family vehicle with room needed for car seats and booster seats, or will you need it to have the ability to tow heavy trailers and loads? Many truck shoppers may not realize that there are big differences in a work truck versus a passenger truck intended more for comfort and looks, including the overall appearance of and mileage. Fortunately, making these decisions before you set off can help eliminate options that just aren’t right for you and save you both time and money in the long run.

Check Off The Boxes

Once you have decided what your needs are, you can begin the task of filtering out the makes and models that don’t quite fit the bill. For example, if you plan on utilizing your truck for more family needs than using it as a work truck, you can eliminate 3/4 ton or half-ton pickup trucks that might be a lot more towing power than you realistically need. Instead, you can focus on finding a truck that comes equipped with the extra options you are looking to find such as leather seating, Bluetooth capability or seating for 5. Research local options and contact individuals or dealerships with pickup trucks you are interested in so can begin to formulate a game plan on which ones you would like to see in person.

Devil Is In The Details

Now that you know what you need and where to find it, it’s important to know what to ask while you are at the dealership or private seller. Some of those should include:

What year is the pickup?

Whether it’s new or used, does this pickup truck come with a warranty?

How many owners has the pickup truck had and what type of use did it receive (i.e. commercial, work, personal)?

Does it have 4 Wheel Drive, All Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive or Front Wheel Drive?

Has it been involved in any accidents? If so, what repairs have been made and have there been additional inspections?

If it’s a used vehicle, are there service records available?

If it’s a new vehicle, are there any rebates, special APR or incentives available with this pickup?

Are there any special features it has and am I paying extra for them?

Can I take it to a mechanic to be inspected if it’s a used truck?

Does it have a clean title or is it a salvage title? If it is a salvage title, has it been inspected by state police to ensure it is safe to be sold?

What kind of interest rate can I get if I finance through the dealership?

Do you markup your financing?

What kind of mpg does the truck get?

Are there additional fees involved with purchasing the truck?

Do you offer extended warranties?

While many people are under the assumption that used pickup trucks or commercial trucks do not come with a warranty but the truth is that some dealerships, such as Broadmoor Motors, offer 30 Day Warranties on their trucks in addition to Extended Warranties. Be sure to ask while you’re shopping around if the truck comes with any guarantees. When considering similar pickups, this could be a critical deciding factor.

If you find yourself searching for your next used SUV, minvan, truck or car that comes equipped with AWD or 4WD, we invite you to check out our current inventory of Used Trucks, Vans, SUVs and Cars. At Broadmoor Motors, we specialize in finding the right used minivan, truck, SUV or car to fit your personal or business needs, all while giving you the best deal we can on both your purchase and trade in. Our family has been in the car business for over 60 years and continues to be family owned and operated in all of our Caledonia, Hastings and Wayland locations with financing available to those who qualify. We will find you the right vehicle to fit both your budget and your needs in a pressure free environment.

Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Family Owned & Operated and with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable! Broadmoor Motors is your local choice for Car Sales in the greater Hastings, Middleville, Caledonia, Grand Rapids, Wayland, Byron Center, Dorr, Hopkins, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, Lake Odesa, Kentwood, Holland, Zeeland, Moline, Cutlerville, Wyoming, Hudsonville, Grandville, Jenison, Hamilton, Ionia and Allegan. Ask about our BMG Protection Plan, this is not an aftermarket product! area. Let Broadmoor Motors save you time and money when buying your next quality, Pre-Owned Car, Family Minivan, All Wheel Drive SUV, Commercial Van or Work Truck. Whether you need to replace your current car, minivan, truck or SUV with a great used vehicle, we can help you out. Broadmoor Motors is here for all your Car Sales, and Auto Service needs in the Byron Center, Kentwood, Caledonia, Middleville, Hastings, greater Grand Rapids, Wayland and Barry County area. With three locations to serve you in Wayland, Hastings and Caledonia, we’re here for all your Sales & Service needs. Give us a call at 616.698.9595 in Caledonia, 269.397.2400 in Wayland or 269.320.6304 in Hastings to see how we can get you back on the road!

https://broadmoormotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BMG-LOGO-Blue-on-Clear-340x98-1-300x86.jpg00Chris Bartnickhttps://broadmoormotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BMG-LOGO-Blue-on-Clear-340x98-1-300x86.jpgChris Bartnick2018-09-25 09:01:382018-10-11 12:07:27Tips For Buying A Great Used Truck

Trying to decide what to do with your vehicle once you’ve found your next new or used car to buy can be difficult. There are advantages to selling your current vehicle both privately and trading it in but there are also downsides. Knowing what the pros are of both can help you decide what works best for your needs and allow you to proceed with confidence.

Pros Of Trading In Your Vehicle

Convenience – One of the biggest reasons that people choose to trade in their vehicle when buying something new is the sheer convenience of signing over the title and handing over the keys while they pick up their new ride. And there’s something to be said about how easy it is to do just that when you work with a dealership. No posting ads in the newspaper or online, no answering unknown calls from people inquiring about it. Not to mention meeting strangers so they can take a look at your car, van, truck or SUV. Simply put, trading in your vehicle is a no muss, no fuss way to get rid of the old and bring in the new.

Time – When you consider the time it takes to get a vehicle prepped for sale, fix any issues necessary, post for sale ads, park it for sale, take calls, meet for test drives and haggle out a sale, it’s not hard to see how some decide the lower trade-in price is worth it.

Better Option For Financed Vehicles – Whether people still owe money on the loan they took out to finance the vehicle they are currently driving or perhaps even upside down in it (owing more on the loan than it is worth), one benefit of trading in the vehicle is that a dealership will still take it while it’s difficult to sell a vehicle when you technically do not own it and do not have a release of lein to give to supply with the title, while most private buyers are not interested in getting involved in purchasing a vehicle that does not have a title that’s free and clear.

Immediate Downpayment – Trading in your vehicle in lieu of selling it yourself means you have an immediate downpayment to offer when you purchase your new or used vehicle instead of having to wait to find a seller in however long that takes.

Trade In Tax Credit – Trading in your vehicle can save you money on the sales tax you’ll pay to the state that selling independently does not allow and this year there’s even more allowed! Since January 1, 2018 in Grand Rapids, car buyers have been afforded a sales tax trade-in credit amount for vehicles delivered on or after January 1 for the price agreed to by the dealer and purchaser for the trade-in vehicle, not to exceed $4,000. That means no sales tax on up to $4000 depending on your trade-in value and the purchase price of your vehicle! So let’s say for example you are buying a used 2017 Ford Escape for $18,997 and the dealership has agreed to give you $4500 for your trade-in, you’ll only have to pay taxes on $14,997 which is a difference of $240! Not too shabby.

Pros Of Selling Your Vehicle Privately

More Money – Just like convenience is the biggest motivator for people to trade in their current vehicle, getting more money is one of the largest reasons car owners decide to sell their vehicle privately. While it may take more time to get it ready and it may take longer to sell it, chances are that you’ll net a bigger profit when you sell it to an individual versus a new or used dealership.

More Time To Decide – Unlike taking as much time as you’d like to sell it privately to an individual, a dealership will need a final answer to their top trade in dollar before your new purchase has been finalized. If you have the time and don’t mind the hassle of selling it yourself, this might persuade you to take your chances on selling it privately to an individual.

If you find yourself searching for your next used SUV, minivan, truck or car that comes equipped with AWD or 4WD, we invite you to check out our current inventory of Used Trucks, Vans, SUVs and Cars. At Broadmoor Motors, we specialize in finding the right used minivan, truck, SUV or car to fit your personal or business needs, all while giving you the best deal we can on both your purchase and trade in. Our family has been in the car business for over 60 years and continues to be family owned and operated in all of our Caledonia, Hastings and Wayland locations with financing available to those who qualify. We will find you the right vehicle to fit both your budget and your needs in a pressure-free environment.

Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Family Owned & Operated and with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable! Broadmoor Motors is your local choice for Car Sales in the greater Hastings, Middleville, Caledonia, Grand Rapids, Wayland, Byron Center, Dorr, Hopkins, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, Lake Odesa, Kentwood, Holland, Zeeland, Moline, Cutlerville, Wyoming, Hudsonville, Grandville, Jenison, Hamilton, Ionia and Allegan. Ask about our BMG Protection Plan, this is not an aftermarket product! area. Let Broadmoor Motors save you time and money when buying your next quality, Pre-Owned Car, Family Minivan, All Wheel Drive SUV, Commercial Van or Work Truck. Whether you need to replace your current car, minivan, truck or SUV with a great used vehicle, we can help you out. Broadmoor Motors is here for all your Car Sales, and Auto Service needs in the Byron Center, Kentwood, Caledonia, Middleville, Hastings, greater Grand Rapids, Wayland and Barry County area. With three locations to serve you in Wayland, Hastings and Caledonia, we’re here for all your Sales & Service needs. Give us a call at 616.698.9595 in Caledonia, 269.397.2400 in Wayland or 269.320.6304 in Hastings to see how we can get you back on the road!

It’s a topic that no parent wants to think about but the leading cause of death for children in the United States is injuries caused during a motor vehicle accident. Realizing that every 33 seconds a child under the age of 13 is involved in an accident, it’s no wonder the NHTSA has made it a priority to create National Child Safety Passenger Awareness Week to help share important info with parents and give them the best chance of keeping their children as safe as they can be while in a vehicle.

Use The Proper Seat

Knowing whether your child should be sitting in a rear-facing car seat, forward facing car seat, booster seat or old enough to sit without one is paramount in keeping your child safe and could be the difference in an accident causing serious injuries or even a fatality. The current Michigan regulations regarding car seats safety state:

Children under 4 years: must be secured in a child restraint in the rear seat of the vehicle -Infants should ride rear-facing until at least 1 year and 20 pounds.

Children 4 – 8 years OR under 4 feet 9 inches: must be secured in a child restraint – Booster seats must be used with the vehicle’s lap & shoulder belt. Children should remain in a booster seat until they are about 4 feet 9 inches tall.

Having the correct seat for your child is a great start but if it’s not installed correctly into the vehicle, it can’t do what it’s been designed to do and in turn, your child could be in danger. And realizing that experts estimate that up to 95% of car seats are installed incorrectly, means that parents need to do more than they are already doing to ensure their child’s safety. To begin, follow the instructions in the car seat or booster seat’s owners manual for how they recommend installing the seat and for usage. Additionally, utilizing car seat installation checks at your local police or fire station can ease your mind and verify everything has been done properly.

Pay Attention To Expiration Dates

It may come as a surprise to many parents but much like baby food or their child’s medicines, their car seat or booster seat also have an expiration date. This is caused by the breakdown of materials used in the car seat, including the plastic that can be damaged by heat or sun and metal that can begin to show wear or develop rust. In addition, technology is ever evolving, with advancements in safety and best practices are constantly changing.

Buckle Up

While parents may strive to keep their children as safe as possible, many are overlooking one of the biggest safety assets that comes standard in their vehicle. Yet studies suggest that approximately 21% of parents believe that it is safe to drive without their child buckled up in the vehicle, particularly if it is a short trip close to home or overnight. Which is shocking when you consider that out of children 12 years or younger who were killed in an auto accident in one year, 35% were not buckled up and may have survived if they had been properly restrained. The easiest and best way that parents can increase their child’s chance of survival in the unfortunate event of a car accident is to make sure they are buckled every single time before the vehicle begins to move, no exceptions. And one of the best ways parents can help teach their kids to use their seat belt every time is to be a positive role model to them by doing the same. Now that’s a lesson that could help save not only your life but their life as well!

Supervision

Kids are curious creatures and may be tempted to push buttons, move levers or turn knobs if left alone in a vehicle. But doing so while the keys are in the ignition or while it is running with the driver is not in it can create a situation where the vehicle gets put into motion, or worse yet the vehicle stolen while your child is still in it. Never leave kids unattended in a vehicle, particularly when it is hot outside and their risk of being exposed to extreme temperatures is possible.

If you find yourself searching for your next used SUV, minvan, truck or car that comes equipped with AWD or 4WD, we invite you to check out our current inventory of Used Trucks, Vans, SUVs and Cars. At Broadmoor Motors, we specialize in finding the right used minivan, truck, SUV or car to fit your personal or business needs, all while giving you the best deal we can on both your purchase and trade in. Our family has been in the car business for over 60 years and continues to be family owned and operated in all of our Caledonia, Hastings and Wayland locations with financing available to those who qualify. We will find you the right vehicle to fit both your budget and your needs in a pressure free environment.

Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Family Owned & Operated and with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable! Broadmoor Motors is your local choice for Car Sales in the greater Hastings, Middleville, Caledonia, Grand Rapids, Wayland, Byron Center, Dorr, Hopkins, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, Lake Odesa, Kentwood, Holland, Zeeland, Moline, Cutlerville, Wyoming, Hudsonville, Grandville, Jenison, Hamilton, Ionia and Allegan. Ask about our BMG Protection Plan, this is not an aftermarket product! area. Let Broadmoor Motors save you time and money when buying your next quality, Pre-Owned Car, Family Minivan, All Wheel Drive SUV, Commercial Van or Work Truck. Whether you need to replace your current car, minivan, truck or SUV with a great used vehicle, we can help you out. Broadmoor Motors is here for all your Car Sales, and Auto Service needs in the Byron Center, Kentwood, Caledonia, Middleville, Hastings, greater Grand Rapids, Wayland and Barry County area. With three locations to serve you in Wayland, Hastings and Caledonia, we’re here for all your Sales & Service needs. Give us a call at 616.698.9595 in Caledonia, 269.397.2400 in Wayland or 269.320.6304 in Hastings to see how we can get you back on the road!